Carbon Nanomaterial Chemistry: A Tribute to Prof. Randy L. Vander Wal

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a Special Issue in honor of Professor Randy L. Vander Wal, celebrating his extraordinary contributions to the chemistry of carbon formation and transformation and his far-reaching academic impact. His work has consistently addressed fundamental questions related to how molecular precursors evolve into carbon structures and how chemical conditions influence bonding, ordering, and structural development during carbonization and graphitization.

Professor Vander Wal’s research spans physical chemistry and reaction kinetics, laser-based optical diagnostics, and the synthesis, characterization, and applications of carbon/metal oxide semiconductor nanomaterials at NASA-Glenn. A visionary in carbon nanoscience, his current work focuses on CVD/flame synthesis of carbon nanomaterials, graphene bonding and graphitization kinetics, advanced carbon material characterization (HRTEM, XPS, EELS), as well as the properties and fabrication of graphene/graphitic carbon-based materials and biochar production, advancing carbon nanomaterial engineering for energy and materials science. Related topics have included carbon materials produced by thermo-gravimetric decomposition of natural gas, pyrolytic carbon films, chemical vapor deposition, and templating carbon precursors, e.g., consumer single-use waste plastics with graphene and graphene oxide additives to form graphitic carbons. Ongoing studies focus on the transformation of bio-oils, ligno-cellulosic materials, and petroleum-derived pitches upon high-temperature treatment using both conventional and novel laser heating. Notably, high-intensity pulsed laser light achieves millisecond-to-nanosecond time resolution, enabling the study of carbon graphitization kinetics. These studies have offered new perspectives on reaction rates, intermediate species, and structural ordering processes that are otherwise inaccessible using conventional thermal methods.

Prof. Vander Wal's research is driven by a commitment to understanding the complex interactions between nanomaterials and energy processes, contributing to advancements in energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental protection. As an inspiring mentor, he fosters critical thinking and diverse ideas, with his students earning numerous prestigious awards—including ACS, AIChE, FAA, NASA, MRS, and fuel science honors—a testament to his profound educational influence.

This Special Issue tributes his lifelong dedication to interdisciplinary research and mentorship, featuring original papers, reviews, and perspectives on the chemistry of carbon nanomaterials, celebrating his contributions to chemical synthesis, transformation mechanisms, and molecular-to-nanoscale structure relationships that continue to shape the field. We invite researchers and scholars from around the world to contribute to this Special Issue, sharing their own insights and discoveries inspired by Professor Vander Wal’s research. This collection will aim to showcase novel synthesis methods, relevant material characterizations, and chemistry analytics coupled with performance and application data for nanocarbons. Experimental and theoretical work addressing critical scientific questions and challenges is welcomed. We look forward to celebrating his remarkable scientific legacy and interdisciplinary contributions through this Special Issue. 

Dr. Bindu Antil
Prof. Dr. Constantine D. Stalikas
Guest Editors

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